April 14, 2021
By Kevin Fixler
A dozen skiers and snowmobilers died in avalanches in Colorado during winter 2020-21, primarily in the backcountry, which sadly matched a state record set in 1993. The total number of deaths was the most of any state this season, a distinction held by Colorado for the past 70 years.
The public has access to such data because it is closely tracked by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, a Boulder-based state agency. The statistics are used for a variety of purposes, including making forecasts, reviewing trends and promoting education and safety in the increasingly popular backcountry playground.
(iStock image by Sward85)
Some lawmakers want ski resorts to report injuries and fatalities durangoherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from durangoherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Students would no longer be required to take the SAT or ACT when applying to Colorado’s public colleges under proposed legislation that aims to make higher education more accessible to low-income and first-generation college applicants who often don’t do as well on standardized tests.
State Rep. Cathy Kipp and state Sen. Tammy Story, both Democrats, plan to introduce legislation when the chambers are back in session that would allow public colleges and universities to make the move to test-optional admissions. Students could still submit scores if they chose.
Lawmakers made tests optional for 2021 high school graduates applying to Colorado schools. The coronavirus caused disruptions across the state in accessing the SAT, and state officials waived requirements that schools offer the test. The proposed legislation would make that change permanent.
Jason Blevins, The Colorado Sun
More than 4,100 skiers and snowboarders were transported to emergency rooms in ambulances or helicopters across 2018, 2019 and the first part of 2020, which is about 10 patients every day of the season.
Chris Arnis was with his crew, carving spring snow on his home hill. It was a good Sunday for the lifelong skier.
It was a little shy of 4 p.m., March 15, 2015, when it happened. Arnis, a ski coach in Steamboat Springs, hit some deep ruts where a speed-controlling fence had just been pulled to prepare for snow grooming that evening. He lost a ski and flew face first into the flats on a run called Rainbow.
Up to 55 injured skiers and snowboarders arrive at Colorado ERs each day
Durango, Colorado Currently Fri 2% chance of precipitation 1% chance of precipitation 1% chance of precipitation
More than 4,100 transported across 2018, 2019 and the first part of 2020
Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 5:14 PM Jason Blevins/The Colorado Sun
Ski patrollers tend to an injured skier in Vail’s Game Creek Bowl on Dec. 11, 2020.
Up to 55 injured skiers and snowboarders arrive at Colorado ERs each day Jason Blevins/The Colorado Sun
Ski patrollers tend to an injured skier in Vail’s Game Creek Bowl on Dec. 11, 2020.
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Chris Arnis was with his crew, carving spring snow on his home hill. It was a good Sunday for the lifelong skier.